Have you ever had your ears 'vacuumed' out by an Ears, Nose and Throat doc? Wax build up will impair hearing and tones don't sound the same, or you don't hear them at all. I have it done several times over the years (I am approaching 60) and my hearing was restored. The first time I had it done back in my 20's, after the appt., I started my car to leave, and it sounded like an explosion.